Latin America

Seven killed, 61 injured in Venezuela protests

Seven killed, 61 injured in Venezuela protests

Venezuela’s attorney general has announced that seven people have been killed and 61 injured during opposition protests over presidential election result.
Celia Flores did not give any reports any details about the death or injuries or when they occurred.


However, prosecutor Luisa Ortega said the victims were humble member of the working class, giving suggestions that the opposition might be to blame for the deaths and injuries.

Officials have reported protests in various cities, where streets have been blocked, tires burnt and clashes with security forces.

In the Caracas, masked opposition supporters armed with rocks staged a running battle with police, forcing them to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at the group.

“Imagine if I went crazy and called the people and armed forces onto the street? What would happen in this country? How many millions would pour onto the street?” said Maduro.

The president-elect blamed the violence on opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who lost the Sunday’s presidential election by receiving 49 percent against Maduro’s 50.8 percent.

Capriles demanded a vote recount; however, the head of the electoral authority, Tibisay Lucena, rejected the request and said that the council would not respond to “threats and intimidation.”

The council added that it has already held a 54 percent audit of the widely respected electronic vote system.

Lucena also accused the US government and Organization of American States of attempting to meddle in the country’s affairs after they backed the proposal of a vote audit.

Maduro, 50, became Venezuela’s acting president on March 8, following the death of late President Hugo Chavez, who lost a two-year-long battle with cancer on March 5.

Maduro has promised to continue the socialist policies of the former leader.

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